James Herr Passes Away

Snack food company founder was 87

NOTTINGHAM, Pa. -- James S. Herr, founder of Herr Foods Inc., maker of Herr’s line of snacks, passed away of complications from pneumonia on April 5, 2012.

Herr was born in Lancaster, Pa.,, on August 6, 1924. He started his snack food business in 1946 with the help of his then fiancee, and now wife, Miriam. The business grew from a small potato chip manufacturing operation to a producer of a full line of snacks.

Herr Foods is a leader in the snack food industry. Its line of snacks currently consists of more than 340 items including potato chips, pretzels, tortilla chips, cheese curls, popcorn, crackers, nuts, pork rinds, onion rings and meat sticks. Today Herr’s products can be found in most states and in numerous foreign countries.

While retaining his title of founder, Herr retired from his role as chairman of the board of Herr Foods Inc, when his eldest son, J.M. Herr, assumed that role in 2005. Until his passing, Jams Herr continued to serve on the board.

He was very active in his community and his church, Mount Vernon Mennonite. In addition, he provided leadership on numerous boards dedicated to evangelism, philanthropy and free enterprise.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Miriam Hershey Herr. Together they had five children, 20 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three of his four siblings.